CALLING THE SHOTS

 If seeing is believing then the 13^th Region Basketball Tournaments will be as exciting as anytime in the past 10 years. As Bill Crook stated today “The parity in the 13^th Region this year is unreal. Harlan County, Clay County, North Laurel, Corbin, Knox Central, Barbourville, Bell County and Williamsburg are all contenders. It all depends on which team can get it all together for a six-game run in March.”

And that’s only on the boys’ side of the region. The girls’ tournament may be even tighter as the teams come down to the wire.

I believe the Clay County Lady Tigers are still the team to beat after playing a difficult schedule. They have played the likes of Perry Central, Lincoln County, Glasgow and Dunbar, all in the top 30. With junior Cheyenne Madden transferring to Clay County, the Lady Tigers are still at the top of Region 13.

I believe Whitley County could knock off Clay County and make their second trip to the state tournament in school history. The Lady Colonels have also played a tough schedule against teams like Clay County, Boone County and Lincoln County, all in the top 25. Coach Larry Anderson has it all of the Lady Colonels can put it together. After all, the Lady Colonels lost to Lincoln County on the road, 65-63 and Clay County beat the same team at home 68-66.

I believe the 52^nd District is loaded with Bell County, Harlan, Harlan County and Middlesboro. Any of the four could come out of the girls’ district. Most people thought Harlan County had the inside track, but Harlan City knocked off the Lady Bears on their own court 47-43.

I believe Corbin’s Holli Disney is the most improved player in the 13^th region. If she continues to improve and she will, Corbin will be a threat come tournament time. Kayla and Miranda Wilson are among the best guards in Southeastern Kentucky.

I believe Whitley County sophomore Brandi Smith is the most incredible scorer I have seen in a long time. She quietly puts in nearly 20 points a game for the Lady Colonels.

I believe this is the most balance 50^th District on the boy’s side that I have seen in a long time with Corbin, South Laurel, Whitley County and Williamsburg able to pull out a victory any night.

I believe Whitley County is much better than their current 2-16 record shows. Junior Michael Powers is no doubt one of the top five players in the district offensively. Inside man Aaron Petrey could start on any team and Josh Couch is a tremendous point guard.

I believe Corbin will be in the thick of the race during the 13^th Region when the final eight head to the Arena Feb. 27. Travis Smith wasn’t voted the top player in the region for nothing. Zach Farley has come along way and Coach Tony Pietrowski’s depth has to be number one in the region with Victor Berezutchi, Kyle West, Robbie Igo, Hunter Grubb, Caleb Maguet, Trevor Hill, Eric Jones and Joey Shelton.

I believe Barbourville will hit their stride during the All “A” Tournament and meet Williamsburg for the right to represent the 13^th Region at the small school state tournament. The Tigers will get to the 13^th Region Tournament at the Arena, but I believe the soft schedule they have played will hurt them in the end.

I believe Harlan County may have the best starting five with the likes of Alex Sergent, Tyler Brewer, Chad Massingill, Aaron Caldwell and Chase Calton, but the depth will be a question mark.

I believe Williamsburg senior center Cameron Smoak is the best big man in the region when it comes to rebounding. He is a brute inside and is capable of dominating a game of the men in the stripes will let him play.

I believe, in the end, the 13^th girls’ rep will make some noise in the 2012 “Sweet Sixteen”, but I look for a short stay by the boys’ winner.